“Servite Domino in lactita”- “Serve the Lord joyfully” was the vehement and profound solicitation of Investiture Ceremony 2016-17.

A tranquilizing Bhajan followed by enlightening speeches by Ms. Raka and Ms. Sharmila marked the inception of the ceremony. Then, a reading from the Holy Bible elucidated that leadership is influence, the mission of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. The respected dignitaries bestowed upon the captains badges and sashes which are symbolic of the responsibilities of an ardent torch bearer. Promising to develop into astral personalities and visionary leaders, the captains took pledges-the jargon proclamation sculpting the evidence of their commission.

The ceremony witnessed Rev. Fr. Hermil  J. D’ Souza as the Chief Guest and when invited upon stage, Father missed no opportunity to inspire and invigorate the leaders. Father unleashed that constant experience is the testimony of how every man invested with power is apt to abuse it and carry his authority as far as it goes but there is a higher power, a higher influence, a God who rules and reigns and controls circumstances beyond our area and realm of authority. He set for the students a reminder that investiture ceremony is a souvenir to serve with humility and selflessness. Fr.Hermil commanded that the foremost duty of a leader is to compliment people, magnifying their strengths and not their weaknesses, thus enlivening Jim Rohn’s incredible lines- “The challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude, kind but not weak, bold but not bully, thoughtful but not lazy, humble but not timid, proud but not arrogant, have humor but without folly. A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus, leaders must encourage their organization to dance to the forms of music yet to be heard but the vulnerability of anger only annihilates the serene evolution. Anger simply hurts but patience is the key to unlock serendipities and miracles-patience with family is called love, patience in school is called respect, patience with oneself is called confidence and patience with God is called faith. Father imprinted upon the students the necessity to dwell in the present moment for the present moment contains both the past and future, the secret of transformation is in the way we handle this very moment.

Father concluded his enunciation by narrating a captivating story of a king who was blind in one eye and lame in one leg. One day, the king announced that he was in quest of an adroit painter who would sketch an elegant and lee witching portrait of him. None of the painters dared to consider the job as it was infeasible for them to paint an angelic portrait of a physically disabled man. However, one man agreed and painted a classic picture of the king-a painting so phenomenal that it left the folks bewildered and astounded. He painted the king aiming for a hunt, targeting with one eye closed and one leg bent. Thus the invincible moral emanating from the anecdote is that we can paint beautiful pictures of others, just by highlighting their strengths and concealing their weaknesses.

The investiture ceremony reached its denouement with the tune of school anthem.

Disha Roy – XII C